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Hamlet Video Comparison Essay To be or not to be that is the question 3156 that the different directors must ask themselves when choosing the design of their play The tragic play Hamlet by William Shakespeare has had many interpretations from the single script Directors Derek Jacobi and Franco Zeffirelli have both directed the same play Hamlet yet the differences in the renditions of the play emphasize different aspects In the nunnery scene the differences between the two versions setting camera angles and characterization accentuate the different points the directors are trying to present In Jacobis version of Hamlet the setting is appears to be happy and uplifting The nunnery scene takes place in a well-lit 19th century castle The bright appearances contrast the depression and sickness that the characters of the play feel The mirrors in the regal room also emphasize the theme of appearances Polonius also uses the mirrors to hide himself and by indirections find directions out 2166 The well lit luxurious room in the Jacobi version contrasts the drafty dark castle in the Zeffirelli version The run down castle shows how the state of Denmark is falling apart The motif of sickness and decay are emphasized in this version while deceit and appearances are emphasized in the Jacobi version Jacobis direction in the setting of the camera angles are very different from those in Zeffirellis version In the nunnery scene Jacobi utilizes close ups and the camera is mostly static This presents a much more intimate feel The facial expressions are much more visible and clear and when Hamlet and Ophelia are talking the camera switches off between them This puts emphasis on both Hamlet and Ophelia and their relationship Zeffirelli on the other hand has the camera focus more on Hamlet The camera also moves and gets full body shots This allows the scene to be more focused on the character of Hamlet and his actions and body language

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